INTRODUCTION:
Is Christ Jesus Lord? Is He the Lord over all other Lords? Is He the Lord over life and death? Is He the Lord of every area of life? If you answer “yes” to these questions, then you will be in a tough position to deny His Law-Word as authoritative in every sphere of human thought.
This is where I closed last session. These are some very pointed questions. Questions that should hit home in the heart of the men and women who profess Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. How we answer those key questions have a direct bearing on how we ought to think and live in this world.
Two opinions…1
As I noted last time, the Christian faith is torn between two opinions here in the West. Some believe that the world is Satan’s, under his control, and therefore it is unjustified to try to change things. For fighting against things as they are is a fool’s errand when Christ could return at any moment. The anthem cry of this group of Christians is “Come, Lord Jesus, come!” The desire is to be saved from the current struggle we face, so that no struggle will really be necessary.
On the other side of the spectrum you have believers who acknowledge the sinfulness of our times, the increasing aggression of our opponents, and their seeming control in nearly every sphere of life. The conviction is that sinful men are the source of the problem. This is not a denial of demonic forces at play, but an understanding that sin is the underlying root of the issue. The devil is a creature that is powerless to force humanity to do anything, other than what humanity sees as a good option. The earth is not evil, nor are governing bodies, but fallen men exercise godless dominion when redeemed men grow lax.
What both groups share is unfortunately an unwillingness to enter the fray.2 Saying that there is a culture war in our society is not only deemed cliché, but a tiresome, troublesome, costly venture that many members of the Christian faith prefer to avoid. Having studied and preached through the book of Judges I see that this attitude by modern evangelicals is nothing new.
Lesson from the Book of Judges…
Israel experienced great victory and blessing under the leadership of Joshua. The Lord’s hornet3 fought for them, and this coincided with Joshua’s faithfulness to the Law-Word of God. He proved to be a strong man of great courage, who refused to go to the right hand or to the left hand in deviation from God’s Word. Therefore, at the close of his life he could honestly claim before the great congregation of Israel: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh 24.15). For serve the Lord God (Yahweh) he did until he was laid to rest.
The enemy had been driven from the land in great numbers, but a remnant had been left to teach the sons of Israel to fight. But once they received a certain measure of the blessings promised by God, they rebelled. This rebellion wasn’t witnessed immediately, but over time as the sons of Israel’s tolerance of Canaanite culture (i.e., religion) turned into full bore adoption (i.e., syncretism). In essence, an attempt was made (or put into practice) where the sons of Israel sought to worship both Yahweh and Baal; a mixture of covenant worship and paganism.4
Similarities…
This pattern is similar to what has occurred in the West. The Christian faith based on God’s Word has slowly been set aside during a great season of blessing in industry, medicine, and learning. Rather than being committed to the One who gave the blessings, we have over time, slowly adopted the culture of paganism (i.e., unbelief). Unlike Joshua, we did detour from the light of God’s Word. Rather than desiring to be a city on a hill that drew people to God’s Law-Word and its chief representative Jesus Christ, we preferred living in the valley of luxury hoping for peace with those whose lives were built upon some other rock (foundation), which was no Rock at all. Having compromised on our professed values, we have slowly allowed the chains of slavery to clink upon our necks.
We are faced with a similar option presented to the sons of Israel. Will we fight for our God or will we marry those who are at base opposed to Him? As I said, one group has decided that escapism is our best policy: “Let’s not waste our time with fighting, for the Lord is coming ‘soon.’” The other group has decided that we must fight, but it must be relegated to our families and our churches, but NOT the civil sphere: “For who are we to impose our moral values on others?”
If we are to act, we must put to death the notion that God and Satan are on equal footing. We need to recognize that God is the God of this world, not the devil. As the old hymn puts it, “This is my Father’s world,” its about high time we start believing and acting upon it. If this is God’s world, then it is His Law that needs to be taught to the nations. The battle is ethical. It is an issue of right and wrong.
“What? What are you saying? God’s Law no longer applies! God’s Law shouldn’t be impressed upon the nations, or the people of our nation here in the West (I speak of the United States of America)!” And here comes the source of my irritation and confusion.
Do you think it is better to have lawless men erect their lawless standard of right and wrong in our society? Is their morality better sourced than Christian morality? Again, I remind the reader of the message contained in the book of Judges (*go read it for yourself). The problem they faced is the same that is before us. (**This is not a new thing, but a pattern that has recurred in the history of the Church).
The Same Obligatory Task…
Israel was presented with the Lord God as their God (Sovereign Image). They were given an opportunity to represent Him in this life as His representatives (image bearer). The manner by which they were to do this was through His Law-Word (theonomic outlook). They were given a land that needed reformation (i.e., reconstruction). The bad tenants were to be driven from the land, and the new tenants were to refashion what God had given to bring Him further glory. All of these actions are dependent upon presupposing God and His Word’s supreme authority in all areas of life.
The same task is before us. The same starting point from which we base our thinking and living; Christ and His Word, our ultimate presupposition. The same objective standard (theonomy; God’s Law) that tells us what is right vs. wrong, and not just us but the rest of civilization. The same covenantal role of restructuring every area of life to reflect the glory of the Triune Creator God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
The Same Objective Standard…
No one with a sane mind likes the current cultural climate we are faced with. All groups of Christians agree5 that the current state of affairs in the West is a direct attack on our Father’s authored way of life. That is to say, it is recognized in principle6 as a matter of the heart, that the same Law governs both the citizen of Christ’s Kingdom (aka., God’s Kingdom) and those who dwell within it.7 As holy Scripture testifies:
“You are to have the same law for a man of another nation living among you as for an Israelite; for I am the Lord your God” (Lev 24.22; BBE).
God hates different standards (cf. Prov 20.23). He holds all nations accountable to His holy Law. Evidenced though His dealing with the nations in Canaan, as well as, the nations outside of Israel during the time of their sacred status as God’s covenant people.8
Furthermore, as Lord, it is the dictates of His Law that are to go out to all people everywhere.
“Wait a minute. Are you saying that God’s Law is meant to be taught to the nations? That Jesus has somehow or somewhere ordered His people to do this? Where is this taught?” asks the skeptical, professing Christian.
Yes, that is precisely what I am saying. I say it because the Bible teaches it. Unfortunately, not many pastors today share these things with the parishioners in the pews. Nor, do many theologians stress this sentiment to their readers. I find that many shun the very idea.
But I am convinced that our life in Christ is more than just fire insurance. We have been saved from what to what? Saved from sin, which “is lawlessness” (1 John 3.4), in order to live as we please? To live as someone else dictates? Or to live righteous lives unto God? The answer is obviously living righteously unto God. But what does that look like in a practical sense?
Questions Pertaining to our Life in Christ and His Word…
Do we govern ourselves differently as an individual? Are we not reformed and reforming? Isn’t the Christian life a life of continual reformation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Does the Holy Spirit point us to an objective standard that can weigh and judge our actions in this life? Not just actions committed personally, but to the world around us (i.e., neighbors)? Do we then govern our families under God’s headship? Do we not act as governed representatives within the folds of Christ’s Church (the assembly/congregation of Christ) to whom we were saved? Is that where the obligation ends? Does the objective standard apply there but no further? What of the rest of life? Are we not also tasked with bringing forth God’s Law-Word into the public square? In the civil sphere where various governing bodies have influence in the society in which we dwell? Do you not know that we are commanded to pray for God’s rule in these areas as well? Do you not know that we are likewise commanded to teach the nations His Law-Word in our effort to disciple the nations?
The Reality of the Christian life…
It is the task of the Christian—both individually and corporately—to go about rebuilding or refashioning the surrounding culture/society in a way that mirrors our Lord’s will in every area of life. We see this command given in the instruction on how to pray and in what is commonly called the “Great Commission.”
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6.10).
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matt 28.18-20a).
When I speak of the culture war that is really what I am driving at. The war is over this objective standard of right and wrong: God’s Law-Word. The evil we see in our nation. That which is being taught in our public schools, propagated in the media, and has infected all our civil institutions or governing bodies describes the contention over who has the authority to declare what is good and evil, right and wrong, truth versus falsities.
The essence of this war is over God’s Law-Word. The very thing that broke the sinner who now confesses Christ, is also that which tells a society what is righteous versus unrighteous. All law is in principle legislative morality. If not God’s Law, then whose? This is where the war is being fought.
It’s not about just getting people saved from hell, but answering the objective question of “Now what?” “What is our objective once lives have been touched by the gospel?” Further still: “What is our role in the rest of society? Isn’t the role of salt to be a preservative and the role of light to unveil the truth?9This is the fight we have been born to, and the thing is… victory has been promised:
“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church;and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matt 16.18).10
To Be Continued…
ENDNOTES:
1There are outliers and/or various other points of thought within the Christian faith, but these are the two ends of the spectrum.
2Though a seemingly broad brush approach, I speak “in general” as there are sure to be Christians in both groups that believe and act differently in terms of cultural engagement for Christ. Nor is this statement meant to discredit the genuine faith of such believers, it is meant however to point out inconsistencies as Christ’s servants.
3Also known as the “angel of the Lord” or the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, the Living Word. Cf. Exodus 23:28; Deuteronomy 7:20; Joshua 24:12.
4Syncretism is, in a sense, the marriage of one culture’s tenets (which are religiously based) with another. Rather than being completed devoted to one side, a neutral approach or a compromising approach is applied. A blatant violation of the prohibition given by the Lord: “Be careful that you do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst. But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their memorial stones and cut down their Asherim—for you shall not worship any other god, because the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exod 34.12-14; cf, Exod 20.5).
5I speak of Bible believing Christians. Not perfect but sincere. This would include the two groups mentioned above that I have some disagreement with.
A “Christian” who denies the authority and applicability of God’s Word is not a Christian. God’s Word is truth. It is holy. And, it is by this truth that we are set free. Those who deny this is not servants of the same master. A true disciple is like his or her teacher, again not perfectly, but in intent.
The motivation of a true believer is humble submission to God’s Word: “Then he believed the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness” (Gen 15.6); “…with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was also able to perform. Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” (Rom 4.20-24). Both texts in reference to Abraham.
6Even when it is tacitly denied by those of an antinomian bent, they still reject the course our culture has taken, and the objection is in accordance with what God commands. Whether this is acknowledged by them is another matter, but that is why I say “in principle.”
7The phrase “kingdom of God… or… kingdom of heaven” refer to the RULE of God. The exercise of His dominion on earth. It is not relegated to the Church (congregation or assembly) of Christ, although we do represent the true citizens under His kingship (John 3.5). The kingdom, if we here refer to territory, is the entire created order. This includes ALL of earth, even those portions still under the sway of darkness: “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col 1.13); “The kingdom fo the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever” (Rev 11.15; also see: Exod 15.18; Psa 110.4; Isa 9.7; Dan 2.44; Zech 2.11).
8God judged Sodom and Gomorrah on the evidence of two witnesses in accordance with His holy Law (cf. Gen 18.20-21; 19.1). He drove out the nations of Canaan via the sword through His agents in Israel (cf. Lev 18.24-25; Deut 9.3; 18.12). He sent Jonah to preach of His wrath and because of their repentance showed them mercy (cf. Jonah 3).
9“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt 5.13-16).
10All Scripture unless otherwise noted was of the New American Standard Bible (NASB).
Kristafal's Musings 